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Christie is a hit with many governors at conference

By Melissa Hayes, The Record (Hackensack N.J.) –

HACKENSACK, N.J. — Republican governors who gathered for an annual meeting in Williamsburg, Va., over the weekend said New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s tough-talking nature appeals to voters across the country.

Christie, who was in high demand among his peers on the day he participated in the National Governors Association’s yearly meeting, even won over at least one Democrat.

Not surprisingly, not every chief executive on hand was a Christie fan. Other Democrats said his signature brash style — on display most recently when he got into an argument on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights and when he called a reporter an idiot at a news conference — was not the hallmark of a good leader.

Counting Christie, 26 governors attended the gathering Notably missing was New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who with Christie is reportedly being considered as running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Christie refused to talk to reporters at the meeting.

Others though, were talking — about the New Jersey governor.

“Straight talk is refreshing,” said Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, chairman of the Republican Governors Association. “And because in a deep-blue state he has advocated tough reforms that have been embraced even by Democrats — pension reform, education reform — because good ideas are successful regardless of whether it’s Democrats or Republicans putting them in place. Good ideas get recognized and enacted. I think that’s probably it.”

“And he’s just, he’s a lot of fun. He’s funny, but he’s serious as well.”

His counterpart, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, had a different take.

“I think he does not pursue a balanced approach,” he said. “I think the downgrading in your municipal bond ratings are a reflection of that. His overheated and over-hyped rhetoric rejections are further evidence of his inability to be straight with people about the choices and trade-offs that we face. So his is not the style of leadership that I would ever encourage people to emulate.”

But one Democratic governor found things to like in what Christie is doing.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, the incoming National Governors Association chairman, said he has a good relationship with Christie, who graduated from the University of Delaware. He added that he and his wife have hosted the Christies for dinner.

“What I respect is the fact that he is true to himself, and he is very comfortable in his own skin,” Markell said. “I think that is something voters everywhere can respond to.”

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